Induction of Tolerance to Fusarium Wilt and Defense-Related Mechanisms in the Plantlets of Susceptible Berangan Banana Pre-lnoculated with Pseudomonas sp. （UPMP3） and Burkholderia sp. （UPMB3）

This study is aimed at assessing the ability of two endophytic bacteria originally isolated from healthy oil palm roots, Pseudomonas sp. （UPMP3） and Burkholderia sp. （UPMB3） to induce resistance in susceptible Berangan banana against Fusarium oxysporum race 4 （FocR4）. Increased accumulation of resistance-related enzymes such as peroxidase （PO）, phenylalanine ammonia lyase （PAL）, lignithioglycolic acid （LTGA）, and pathogenesis-related （PR） proteins （ehitinase and β-1,3-glucanase） has been observed in plantlets treated with endophytic bacteria UPMP3 and UPMB3 singly or as mixture under glasshouse conditions. Pre-inoculation of banana plantlets with UPMP3 showed a significant reduction in Fusarium wilt incidence 72 d after challenged inoculation with FocR4. UPMB3 was less effective in suppressing Fusarium wilt compared to UPMP3, whereas, the mixture of both endophytes showed an intermediate effect. Based on these results, it is concluded that UPMP3 could be a promising biological control agent that can trigger resistance against Fusarium wilt in susceptible Berangan banana.     

Experimental studies of the role of the little raven (Corvus mellori) in surveillance for West Nile virus in Australia

Objective To study the potential role of an Australian corvid, the little raven (Corvus mellori), in the surveillance for exotic West Nile virus (WNV) in Australia. Method In a series of trials, little ravens were infected with WNV (strain 4132 New York 1999) and Kunjin virus (strain K42886) by the intramuscular route. They were observed for 20 days during which blood and swab samples were taken for virus isolation. Tissue samples were taken from ravens humanely killed during the acute infection period, and at the termination of the trials, for virus isolation, histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Results Ravens infected with WNV became mildly ill, but all recovered and seroconverted. Blood virus titres peaked around 3 to 4 days after inoculation at levels between 10^3.0 to 10^7.5 plaque forming units/mL. Virus or viral antigen was detected in spleen, liver, lung, kidney, intestine, testis and ovary by virus isolation and/or immunohistochemistry. WNV was detected in oral and cloacal swabs from 2 to 7 days post inoculation. The molecular and pathogenic characteristics of the inocula were consistent with them being of high virulence, as expected for this isolate. Ravens infected with Kunjin virus developed viraemia and seroconverted, although they did not develop disease. Conclusions Little ravens do not develop severe disease in response to virulent WNV infection and for this reason may not be important sentinel hosts in the event of an outbreak of WNV, as in North America. However, as they have relatively high viraemias, they may be able to support virus cycles.     

Pathogenicity determinants in smut fungi revealed by genome comparison

Biotrophic pathogens, such as the related maize pathogenic fungi Ustilago maydis and Sporisorium reilianum, establish an intimate relationship with their hosts by secreting protein effectors. Because secreted effectors interacting with plant proteins should rapidly evolve, we identified variable genomic regions by sequencing the genome of S. reilianum and comparing it with the U. maydis genome. We detected 43 regions of low sequence conservation in otherwise well-conserved syntenic genomes. These regions primarily encode secreted effectors and include previously identified virulence clusters. By deletion analysis in U. maydis, we demonstrate a role in virulence for four previously unknown diversity regions. This highlights the power of comparative genomics of closely related species for identification of virulence determinants.     

The Effect of a Chronic Stressor, Lameness, on Detailed Sexual Behaviour and Hormonal Profiles in Milk and Plasma of Dairy Cattle

The objectives of the present study were to quantify the effects of a biological chronic stressor (lameness) on the duration and frequency of different oestrous behaviours in parallel with milk hormone profiles. Dairy cows 51.8 ± 1.4 days postpartum (n = 59), including 18 non‐lame control cows, were scored for lameness and closely observed for signs of oestrus having had their follicular phases synchronized by administration of gonadotrophin‐releasing‐hormone (GnRH) followed by prostaglandin F_2α (PG) 7 days later. Lameness shortened the period when herd‐mates attempted to mount the lame cows (1.83 ± 0.69 h vs 5.20 ± 1.53 h; p = 0.042) but did not affect the overall duration of total behaviours (lame 12.3 ± 1.3 h vs non‐lame 15.2 ± 1.3 h). Lameness also lowered the intensity of oestrus [1417 ± 206 points (n = 18) vs 2260 ± 307 points (n = 15); p = 0.029]. Throughout the synchronized oestrous period, lame cows mounted the rear of herd‐mates less frequently (p = 0.020) and tended to chin rest less (p = 0.075). Around the period of maximum oestrous intensity, lameness also diminished the proportion of cows mounting the rear of another cow and chin resting (p = 0.048, p = 0.037, respectively). Furthermore, lame cows had lower progesterone values during the 6 days before oestrous (p ≤ 0.05). Fewer lame cows were observed in oestrus following PG (non‐lame 83%, lame 53%; p = 0.030); however, if prior progesterone concentrations were elevated, lame cows were just as likely to be observed in oestrus. In conclusion, following endogenous progesterone exposure, lameness shortens the period when herd‐mates attempt to mount lame cows but does not affect the incidence of oestrous. However, lame cows are mounted less frequently and express oestrus of lower intensity. This is associated with lower progesterone prior to oestrus but not with abnormal oestradiol or cortisol profiles in daily milk samples.     

Use of antiviral medications against equine herpes virus associated disorders

Numerous types of equine herpesviruses (EHV) continue to afflict horses resulting in a variety of clinical manifestations. While many of the clinical manifestations of EHV are self‐limiting or require only supportive care, some clinical expressions of EHV infections cause severe risk to the horse's overall health and can result in abortion, long‐term deficits or death. Antiviral medications are infrequently utilised therapeutics in equine medicine and their exact efficacy is largely unknown. However, the use of antiviral medications may potentially decrease convalescent time and improve outcome in horses with EHV‐related diseases. Thus, equine practitioners should consider the potential use of antiviral medications in the future. The purpose of this article is to familiarise the equine practitioner with current information in regard to antiviral medications and their potential uses in equine medicine.     

Haemoglobin in normal and neoplastic canine mammary glands

Four types of globins for oxygen transport are known in vertebrates, and the haemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen in blood. In this study, we found that haemoglobin was also expressed in canine mammary glands. Samples were taken from 26 malignant mammary tumors, 16 normal mammary glands and 10 other normal tissues. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), immunoblotting and mass spectrometry were used to investigate haemoglobin in mammary tissues. The results indicated that normal canine mammary glands expressed high levels of haemoglobin protein as shown by Coomassie blue staining. The identity of haemoglobin was confirmed by immunoblotting and mass spectrometry, and the mass spectrometry data revealed that both alpha-haemoglobin and beta-haemoglobin were expressed. Relative to normal mammary glands, the levels of haemoglobin expression in mammary tumors were lower. Our results also indicated that the haemoglobin was endogenously produced in mammary gland tissues and was not derived from the erythroid cells.     

Isolation, structure characterization, and immunomodulating activity of a hyperbranched polysaccharide from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma sinense

A polysaccharide (GSP-6B) with a molecular mass of 1.86 × 10? Da was isolated from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma sinense . Chemical composition analysis, methylation analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were conducted to elucidate its structure. GSP-6B contains a backbone of (1→6)-linked-β-D-glucopyranosyl residues, bearing branches at the O-3 position of every two sugar residues along the backbone. The side chains contain (1→4)-linked-β-D-glucopyranosyl residues, (1→3)-linked-β-D-glucopyranosyl residues, and nonreducing end β-D-glucopyranosyl residues. An in vitro immunomodulating activity assay revealed that GSP-6B could significantly induce the release of IL-1β and TNF-α in human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and showed no toxicity to either PBMC or a human macrophage cell line THP-1. GSP-6B could also activate dendritic cells (DC) by stimulating the secretion of IL-12 and IL-10 from DC.     

Comparative Study on Photocatalytic Degradation of Mono Azo Dye Acid Orange 7 and Methyl Orange under Solar Light Irradiation

The objective of this study was to investigate and compare the kinetic photocatalytic degradation of mono azo dyes Acid Orange 7 (AO7) and Methyl Orange (MO) under solar light irradiation with titanium dioxide (TiO₂) as a photocatalyst. Several operational parameters affecting the photocatalytic degradation of dye were evaluated such as different azo dyes, initial dye concentration, TiO₂ dosage, with and without aeration and sunlight irradiation. The data obtained was well fitted with the Langmuir?CHinshelwood kinetic model. It was observed that the pseudo-first-order rate constants for AO7 were higher than MO in all cases, indicating that the photocatalytic degradation of AO7 was easier and more rapid than MO. The analysis of chemical oxygen demand and UV?CVis spectra shows the AO7 and MO not only being decolorized due to the breakdown of azo bond but also being mineralized if the azo dye solutions were continually exposed to solar light irradiation after the decolorization process.